Nail extractor



April 12, 1955 B. C. STAMBAUGH ET AL NAIL EXTRACTOR Filed June 2, 1954 Fig.1

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2

BurneH Cfifiambaugh George E .Meckley James C. Rodgers INVENTORS ATTORNEY April 12, 1955 B. c. STAMBAUGH ET AL 2,706,103

7 NAIL EXTRACTOR Filed June 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 4e BurneHCSmmbaugh 68 28 George E. Meckley 46 James C. Rodgers Fig.5 BY /%%W United States Patent NAIL EXTRACTOR Burnell C. Stambaugh, Hanover, and George E. Meckley, Abbottstown, Pa., and James C. Rodgers, Towson, Md.; said Meckley and said Rodgers assignors to said Stambaugh Application June 2, 1954, Serial No. 433,912

14 Claims. (Cl. 254-19) This invention relates to improvements in a nail extractor used for pulling nails, spikes and the like from any material within which the nail or spike may be driven. Devices of this nature find their widest use in construction Work for disassembling concrete forms, scaffolding, as well as in demolition work incident to renovating or destroying building structures.

Another extensive use for nail extractors is in receiving departments of manufacturing plants and particularly in plants receiving material boxed in wooden or similar boxes. It is neccessary to open said boxes to remove the material and nail extractors of some sort have been found to greatly minimize the amount of unpackaging time required in such departments.

For many years nail extractors of a manual type have been used for purposes of removing nails and spikes. Usually these have included a pair of jaws which are driven by a hammer or otherwise into close relationship to the head of the nail and one of the jaws usually has a lever attached thereto so that the extractor may be manipulated to remove the nail or spike with a bending and prying action. Such devices have limitations in that considerable time is required to drive the jaws into the wood for example, the nail is bent in being removed and not infrequently the head is pulled off of the nail during such bending action, and in situations where it is desired to save the crating material for further use, these manual types of nail extractors have not been found too satisfactory due to the scarring and marring of the wood during the extracting operations.

More recently, various mechanical and power operated types of nail extractors have been devised. Some of these have included electric motors as a source of power. As

a result, the total Weight of the nail extractor has been considerable due to the Weight of the motor as well as the weight and mass of the gearing necessary to actuate the nail extracting mechanism. Hydraulic and pneumatic power means also have been used in a few examples of previously developed nail extractors but certain of these have not included means for eflectively driving the nail engaging jaws into the material surrounding the nail head or they have been intended for use only to withdraw nails or spikes if the heads projected above the surface of the material from which they were to be extracted. Further, some of these devices have been designed primarily for use in heavy duty work such as removing spikes from railroad ties and the spike extractors, of necessity have been large and heavy to manipulate, thus not rendering them universally usable in other situations where a relatively light weight nail extractor is either desirable or necessary.

The present invention has been developed to obviate the shortcomings and inadequacies of the previously used nail extractors available heretofore and at present. The nail extractor comprising the present invention, in its preferred embodiments, utilizes a relatively light weight fluid operated motor, such as a standard type pneumatic gun capable of delivering rapid impacts. Fluid operated means also are utilized for purposes of moving and locking the nail engaging jaws in operative relationship with the head of a nail, as well as for operating the relatively movable extracting member which effects a straight pull of the nail or spike from the material in which it is embedded, thus leaving the nail or spike in straight condition and usable again if desired. Further, the material surrounding the head of the nail is damaged only a minimum amount Patented Apr. 12, 1955 and readily is capable of being reused, if desired. A simple valve member is included preferably in the han dle of the device for operating selectively the impact member to drive the nail engaging jaws into the material around the head of a nail, for moving and locking the jaws against the head of the nail, and foractuating the extracting member after the nail is adequately gripped by the jaws. No danger of short circuiting is possible due to the various operating mechanisms of the device requiring only fluid under pressure to actuate the same, said fluid either being liquid or gaseous such as air. Compressed air is particularly useful in view of its ready availability at little expense. Further, the amount of power delivered in comparison with the Weight of the device is highly advantageous and a very powerful nail extractor embodying the present invention can be constructed for purposes of extracting relatively large size spikes from heavy timbers, yet the device weighs only a few pounds.

The present invention also affords improvements over previously and presently used nail and spike extractors in that it is extremely simple and relatively inexpensive to construct and operate, the entire device is unusually compact and streamlined, and the design is such that the device is durable and has no bothersome projections or appendages apt to become entangled in workmens clothing, thus minimizing possible danger to the operator. Further, the device has no dangerous exposed parts which can injure an operator during any normal operation of the device.

Details of the foregoing advantages and characteristics of the invention are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinally sectioned view of the nail extractor embodying the present invention shown positioned relative to a nail to be extracted from a board and illustrated at the commencement of the extracting operation.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the nail or spike in process of being extracted from the board shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 through 5 respectively are enlarged sectional views of the handle portion of the nail extractor shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the handle portion including a valve for controlling the operation of the various movable parts of the nail extractor. These sectioned views show the movable plunger of the valve respectively positioned in the several figures to operate the exemplary pneumatic hammer or gun, the extracting sleeve and cylinder, and the inoperative or exhaust position.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the handle.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the exemplary nail extractor illustrated therein includes a pneumatic impact tool or gun 10. However, the invention is not to be restricted to the use of a pneumatically operated gun since a hydraulic gun, for example, also may be used although in using the latter type of gun, an extra conduit probably would have to be used to convey the return fluid to the compressor or pump. Thus, using compressed gas or air as a source of power is handier in that only a single flexible hose or tube. need be employed to connect the nail extractor to a suitable air compressor and storage tank for example. In the appended claims, the impact tool, as well as some of the operating members in other portions of the nail extractor, have been referred to as fluid operated and such term is intended to embrace both liquid as well as gaseous fluid. Thus, the present illustration is intended to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

For purposes of supporting and manipulating the nail extractor, a handle 12 is provided which, preferably, is formed by casting from suitable light weight rugged material such as aluminum, said handle also having a preferably cup-like receptacle 14 which receives the upper end of the pneumatic impact tool 10 snugly. The tool 10 and receptacle 14 may be locked together by a suitable locking ring 16. If desired, the mengaging portions of the tool 10 and receptacle 14 may be threaded and the locking ring 16 primarily will be for purposes of preventing unthreading movement.

The handle 12 is provided with a pair of substantially parallel fluid conducting holes or passages 18 and 20, respectively shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In these figures, the sectional views through the handle are at laterally spaced positions in order to illustrate individually the passages 18 and 20. By referring to Fig. 6 particularly, it will be seen that said passages extend from the outer end of the handle 12, inwardly to near the other end of the handle. Fig. 6 also illustrates the spaced relationship of the passages 18 and 20. At its inner end, passage 18 is connected to another passage 22 which communicates with the motor portion of the fluid operated impact tool 10. Passage 20, at its inner end, communicates with a lateral passage 24. It will be seen that the passages 18, 20, 22 and 24 all can be formed inexpensively in the handle 12 by drilling, for example, rather than having to use cores or otherwise during the casting operation.

Handle 12 also is provided with a valve chamber 26, extending inward from the outer end of the handle and into the outer end of which a valve sleeve plug 28 is threaded. Said plug has a sleeve 30 integral therewith which closely conforms to the valve chamber 26. The passage 18 has an inlet port 32, while passage 20 has an inlet port 34, said ports 32 and 34 communicating with port openings 36 and 38 in valve sleeve 30. The inlet ports 32 and 34 are formed preferably by drilling the same from the back end of the handle when the valve sleeve 30 is removed of course. The outer ends of these inlet ports are then plugged against the escape of fluid by threaded plugs 40. Said back end of the handle also is provided with a fluid exhaust or escape port 42 through which the fluid under pressure in the various cylinders of the nail extractor escapes at the completion of an extracting operation and while the various components of the extractor are being returned to their initial or starting position. Exhaust port 42 also communicates with port opening 44 in the valve sleeve 30.

It will be seen from Figs. 3 through particularly that the valve sleeve plug 28 is provided with a threaded opening 46 at its outer end, into which the terminal end of a flexible hose or conduit is connected. Such hose or conduit is not illustrated but it will be understood that the same is coupled to a source of fluid pressure such as a compressed air tank.

Slidably disposed within the tubular interior of valve sleeve 30 is a valve member 48 which has an axially extending opening communicating at one end with the inlet port 50 of valve plug 28. The central opening 52 in valve member 48 does not extend through the other end but terminates short thereof in order to provide a closed end member 54 which is engaged by a slidable plunger pin 56 movable longitudinally within a suitable opening in the handle 12. Movement of the valve member 48 within the sleeve 30 is restricted at the upper end, as viewed in Figs. 3 through 5, by the valve member 48 engaging the inner end 58 of valve chamber 26. Annular shoulder 60 restricts movement of the valve member 48 in the opposite direction.

Plunger pin 56 is actuated by finger lever 62 which is pivotally connected by a pin 64 to the handle 12. Ear 66 on finger lever 62 engages the outer end of plunger pin 56 to actuate the same and also the valve member 48. When the plug 28 is connected to a source of fluid pressure, the pressure within the central opening 52 of valve member 48 and especially acting against the closed end 54 thereof will maintain the valve member 48 against the inner end of plunger pin 56.

The outer ends of passages 18 and 20 are closed by threaded plugs 68. Valve member 48 also is provided with port openings 70 and 72, both of which communicate with the interior opening of the valve member. Also, intermediately of the ends of the valve member 48, the exterior thereof is provided with an annular flat groove 74. In the initial or starting position of the valve which is illustrated in Fig. 5, it will be seen that the valve member 48 is in its innermost position within the valve chamber 26 and the various ports in valve member 48 are closed by solid portions of the valve sleeve 30. However, it will be noted that, in this position, the passage 20 communicates through inlet port 34, port opening 36, and annular groove 74 with exhaust port 42. Also, the finger lever 62 is in its outermost position as illustrated in Fig. 1 and also Fig. 5.

In the operation of the nail extractor, the operator engages the handle 12 and positions the nose or jaw end of the extractor against the outer surface of material such as a board 76 containing a nail 78 which is to be extracted. While holding the handle and nail extractor firmly against the board 76 adjacent the head of the nail 78, finger lever 62 is moved to its intermediate position which is that illustrated in Fig. 3. Regarding Figs. 1 and 2, said intermediate position is between the positions of finger lever 62 shown respectively in Figs. 1 and 2. This position of finger lever 62 places valve member 48 in the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein fluid passing into the interior of said valve member moves through port opening 72 and inlet port 32, into passage 18 and from there through fluid passage 22 to the impact tool 10. Said impact tool immediately commences operation and delivers a series of impacts to impact member 88 which is operably positioned for vibratory type reciprocation within sleeve 82. Said sleeve is internally threaded at 84 to engage complementary threads 86 formed on the outer end of impact tool 10. A suitable locking ring 88 secures the sleeve 82 to the outer end of impact tool 10 and prevents accidental separation thereof. Thus, in effect, sleeve 82 is fixed firmly to impact tool 10 and constitutes an extension thereof.

Threaded into the interior of the outer end of sleeve 82 is an annular cam sleeve or member 90 which constitutes the nose of the nail extractor. The exterior of the member 90 is cylindrical and of the same diameter as that of sleeve 82, whereby the exterior surfaces of these two members are continuous.

intermediately of the ends of the impact member 80 is an annular boss 92 and the outer end thereof has a piston 94 formed thereon which is reciprocable within the interior of the cylindrical articulated assembly comprising sleeve 82 and annular member 90. In effect, the piston is reciprocable within the interior of sleeve 82 but, specifically, the piston reciprocates within a short chamber or cylinder 96 within member 90. The outer end of impact member 80 also has a boss 98 projecting therefrom which is slotted to receive the inner ends of a pair of nail engaging jaws 100. These inner ends of the jaws 100 overlap each other and are pivotally connected to boss 98 by a pin 102. A compression spring 104 normally holds the outer ends of the jaws in slidable engagement with the interior of member 90.

It will be noted that the outer surfaces of the lower ends of jaws 100 having camming surfaces 106 thereon which engage the interior of the constricted outer end of member 90.

After the finger lever 62 has been moved to the intermediate position thereof described above and fluid under pressure is introduced to the impact tool 10 in order to commence the same delivering impacts to impact member 80, such operation will effect a driving of the lower ends of jaws 100 into the outer surface of wooden board 76 for example so as to dispose the inturned ends of the jaws 100 below the head of nail 78. The jaws 100 may be moved slidably outward relative to member 90 during such driving by impact tool 10. Such driving is effected very rapidly and after a second or so the jaws will be driven sufliciently that the next operation of .the extractor takes place. That is, the finger lever 62 then is moved to its innermost position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. When in this position, the valve member 48 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 4 and, when in this position, flow of fluid under pressure to the impact tool 10 stops since the inlet port 32 of passage 18 then is closed. However, the interior of valve member 48 now communicates with port opening 36 communicating with inlet port 34 of passage 20 and fluid will pass through passage 20 and lateral fluid passage 24 into conduit 108. The conduit 108 extends between fitting plug 110 in handle 12 and fitting sleeve 112 which is connected to piston 114 that is integral with sleeve 82 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Said piston is for purposes to be described.

Sleeve 82 has a longitudinally extending passage 116 communicating at one end with inlet port 118 in fitting sleeve 112. The other end of longitudinal passage 116 enters the interior of sleeve 82 adjacent the annular boss 92 on the impact member 80. This is clearly shown in Fig. 2. The lower threaded end of impact tool 10 plugs the upper end of sleeve 82 and thus fluid entering the sleeve through passage 116 is directed against piston 94 causing longitudinally outward movement of said piston and the jaws 100 connected thereto. This movement of the jaws causes the camming surfaces 106 to act against the constricted outer end of annular cam member 90 and move said outer ends of the jaws firmly into clamping engagement with the nail 78 below the head thereof. Such arrangement is shown best in Fig. 2. Such clamping movement of the jaws 100 relative to the nail will cease when the pressure exerted by the jaws equals that imposed by the fluid upon piston 94. Since the pressure of such fluid will be continuous, the jaws 100 will be held in firm clamping engagement with the nail 78 during the extracting operation which follows such clamping of the mat The extracting mechanism of the nail extractor comprising the present invention includes a tubular extracting member 120 which telescopes over the exterior of articulated sleeves 82 and 90. The engagement between extracting member 120 and the articulated sleeves 82 and 90 preferably is rather close so as to prevent leakage of fluid therethrough. However, to insure against such leakage, an annular groove containing an O-ring 122 affords a seal between the relatively movable members. The upper end of extracting member 120 has an annular flange 124 thereon, the periphery of which has an annular collar 126 provided with a groove containing an O-ring 128 for sealing purposes. Surrounding the periphery of the flange 124 and extending upward therefrom toward the handle 12 is a cylinder sleeve 130. Any suitable locking means may be used to secure the sleeve 130 to flange 124 such as a flexible, square retaining key 132 which is disposed in opposed annular grooves in the flange 124 and sleeve 130. The sleeve 130, for example, is provided with a slot adjacent the groove therein for receiving the flexible locking key 132, the latter being pushed into the slot and opposed grooves and the length thereof being adequate to substantially extend entirely around the periphery of flange 124.

The piston 114, fixed to sleeve 82, is slidable within cylinder sleeve 130 and, to insure efliciency in operation, the periphery of the piston 114 is provided with any suitable piston sealing ring 134. The piston 114 also has an exhaust port 136 therein communicating with the inner end of fitting sleeve 112. Said inner end of fitting sleeve 112 also has a ball check valve 138 therein which is spring pressed to insure-the seating of the ball valve 138 so as normally to close exhaust port 136 against the flow of fluid therethrough while fluid is being fed into sleeve 82 through longitudinal passage 116.

While fluid is passing into sleeve 82 through passage 116, a slight amount thereof will pass through very restricted passage 140 which extends through the wall of sleeve 82 adjacent the passage 116. This is shown in Fig. 2. Thus, a certain amount of the fluid flowing through passage 116 will bleed into the interior 142 of cylinder 130 and commence relative movement between cylinder 130 and piston 114. Actually, movement of the cylinder 130 and tubular extracting member 120 which is fixed thereto will take place relative to the remainder of the extractor assembly. At the commencement of fluid moving into interior 142 of cylinder 140, very little if any movement of the extracting member 120 will take place until after the jaws 100 have been moved into locking engagement with the nail 78 for example. Then, pressure will build up in the interior of sleeve 82 and passage of fluid under pressure through the restricted opening 140 will be accelerated and cause relatively rapid movement thereafter of extracting member 120 longitudinally upon sleeve 82 and its extension 90, thus effecting relatively longitudinal movement between the jaws 100 and the extracting member 120. After the outer end of extracting member 120 has engaged the outer surface of the wood material 76 for example, then continued relative movement between the extracting member 120 and the jaws will result in the jaws and the nail clamped thereby being extracted in a straight manner perpendicular to the surface of board 76, from said board while maintaining the nail substantially straight and fit for reuse. Similarly, a minimum of damage is sustained by the outer surface of board 76.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the finger lever 62 is in its most compressed position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, clamping of the jaws 100 relative to the nail first will be effected and then immediately thereafter the actuation of the extracting member 120 is effected, all within the duration of only several seconds time in actual operation. After complete extraction of the nail has been effected, the finger lever 62 then is released so that it may be restored to its initial position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Such release of the lever 62 restores the valve member 48 to the position shown in Fig. 5 and connects the conduit 108 with exhaust passage 20 in the handle and exhaust port 42 therein. When compressed air is used as the fluid medium for operating the mechanism, the exhaust port merely will discharge air. However, if liquid is used as the operating force, said exhaust port could be connected to a suitable conduit to convey discharged liquid to the return reservoir or pump. This alternate construction of course is not illustrated but clearly will be understood from the above description.

To insure the rapid return of the extracting member 120 and the jaws 100 to their initial positions such as illustrated in Fig. 1 from the positions thereof shown in Fig. 2, a heavy compression spring 144 is disposed within cylinder 130 and surrounds the impact tool 10 for compactness. The outer end of cylinder sleeve 130 has an annular cap 146 having an inturned outer end 148 against which one end of spring 144 abuts. The conduit 108 also extends through said annular cap 146 as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cap 146 may be secured to the outer end of cylinder sleeve 130 by any suitable means such as a flexible square locking key 150 which is similar to key 128 and is disposed in opposed annular grooves in said cap and cylinder sleeve. The key 150 is positioned in operative relation to these members in the same manner as key 128.

The other end of spring 144 abuts against the outer surface of piston 114 and, when the finger lever 62 is restored to its initial position shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and the passage 20, conduit 108, and exhaust port 42 are in communication with each other, the spring 144 will cause the cylinder sleeve 130 and the extracting member 120 connected thereto to move longitudinally toward the handle 12, thus compressing the fluid within the cylinder chamber 142 and effect its discharge through exhaust port 136 in cylinder 114 against the action of the spring holding the ball check valve 138 in closed position. That is, the pressure of the fluid within the chamber 142 will cause the valve 138 to open and the fluid therein is then in communication with conduit 108 for discharge through the exhaust port 42. The force exerted by spring 144 is relatively strong and thereby efiects a quick return of the various elements to their initial or starting positions.

In order that the jaws 100 may be returned to their initial positions such as illustrated in Fig. 1, while the extracting member 120 and cylinder 130 are being returned to their initial positions, a spring 152 extends between annular sheet metal caps 154 and 156, the cap 154 abutting the inner end of sleeve member and the cap 156 containing a filler member 158 which surrounds and abuts the annular boss 92. Thus, the spring 152 normally exerts thrust upon the impact member 80 tending to move it toward the impact tool 10 and thereby retracting the jaws within the annular cam sleeve 90. The spring 104 will insure that the jaws 100 are moved to spaced positions at their outer ends when retracted, as shown in Fig. 1. Such retraction of the jaws will of course take place simultaneously with the operation of restoring the extracting member and cylinder sleeve to their original positions.

In order to minimize weight in the overall assembly comprising the improved nail extractor, light weight material such as aluminum or aluminum alloys is preferred. Such material is suitable for forming pistons and cylinders for example in the mechanism. However, members which sustain impact and hard useage, such as impact member 82 and jaws 100 should of course be formed from suitable material such as tempered steel, all within the province of sound engineering principles.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the entire assembly comprising the invention is extremely compact, capable of being made relatively light in weight, the assembly and maintenance thereof is simple and less expensive as compared with existing nail extractors capable of performing similar functions, and a simple three-positioned valve in the handle of the device completely controls all operations of the extractor. Rapid operation of the device is possible and, especially compared with its size, the extracting forces possible to be exerted by the device are very high. For example, a device approximately twice the size of that illustrated on the drawings in Fig. 1 has been used to extract a twenty-penny nail from an oak plank over one inch thick without any hesitation, within a total of a few seconds of total operation time.

While the invention has been shown and illustrated in its preferred embodiment, and has included certain details, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool, an impact member projecting therefrom and operable thereby to receive driving impacts from said tool, a pair of nail engageable jaws operable by said impact member to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, fluid actuated means operable to move the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with said nail, fluid actuated withdrawing means movable relative to said jaws and engageable with said material during such relative movement to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and a valve operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

2. A nail extractor comprising in combination a mechanical impact unit, a sleeve connected to and extending from one end thereof, an impact member reciprocable within said sleeve by said impact unit, a pair of extracting jaws movably carried by said impact member and movable thereby to project the outer ends of said jaws longitudinally relative to said sleeve and beyond the outer end thereof and into material from which a nail is to be extracted, interengaging surfaces directly on said jaws and sleeve operable cammingly to move said outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail during such projecting movement of said jaws relative to said sleeve, and an extracting tube reciprocable relative to said sleeve and projectable beyond the outer end thereof into engagement with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail into said extracting tube.

3. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws pivotally connected to said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable upon said jaws, fluid actuated means operable to move said impact member and jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, an extracting member reciprocable externally of said sleeve, fluid actuated operating means connected to said extracting member and operable to move the outer end of said member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and valve mechanism operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

4. The nail extractor set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said extracting member being tubular and reciprocably slidable on said sleeve.

5. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws pivotally connected to said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable between said jaws and sleeve, a piston interconnected to said jaws and slidable within said sleeve, means operable to direct fluid under pressure against said piston and move said jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, an extracting member reciprocable externally of said sleeve, fluid actuated operating means connected to said extracting member and operable to move the outer end of said member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material to eflect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and valve mechanism operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

6. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws pivotally connected to said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable between said jaws and sleeve, fluid actuated means operable to move said impact member and jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, a tubular extracting member reciprocable externally on said sleeve, a fluid actuated piston and cylinder means connected relative to said extracting member and sleeve and operable to move the outer end of said extracting member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and valve mechanism operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

7. A nail extractonoperated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws pivotally connected to said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable between said jaws and sleeve, fluid actuated means operable to move said impact member and jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, a tubular extracting member reciprocable externally upon said sleeve, a cylinder fixed relative to said extracting member, a piston fixed relative to said sleeve and slidable within said cylinder and operable to move the outer end of said extracting member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material to eflect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and valve mechanism operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

8. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projected from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws interengageable by said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable relative to said jaws, fluid actuated means operable to move said jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, an extracting member reciprocable relative to said sleeve, fluid actuated operating means connected to said extracting member and operable to move the outer end of said member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material during such relative movement to eflect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, a handle connected to the outer end of said impact tool and operable manually to support and position the extractor, and valve mechanism carried by said handle and operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

9. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool including a casing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member operable within said sleeve and positioned to receive driving impacts from said tool, a pair or nail engageable jaws operable by said impact member to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable relative to said jaws, a piston interconnected to said jaws and slidable within said sleeve, a fluid carrying conduit communicating with said sleeve and operable to direct fluid under pressure against said piston to move said jaws and cause said cam means to move the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with said nail, extracting mechanism reciprocable relative to said sleeve and jaws and engageable at one end with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, fluid actuated operating means connected to said extracting mechanism, and a valve operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said fluid conduit and operating means to actuate said jaws and extracting mechanism.

10. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws interengageable by said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable relative to said jaws, a piston slidable within said sleeve and interengageable with said jaws, a fluid conduit communicating With an inlet port in said sleeve and operable to direct fluid under pressure against said piston and move said jaws relative to said sleeve, thereby causing said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, a cylindrical extracting member reciprocable relative to said sleeve, a cylinder connected to one end of said extracting member and surrounding said sleeve, a piston fixed relative to said sleeve and disposed slidably within said cylinder, said cylinder having a fluid receiving port to receive fluid under pressure to cause relative movement between said piston and cylinder to cause movement of the outer end of said extracting member relative to said jaws when engaging a nail and into engage ment with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and valve mechanism operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said fluid conduit and fluid receiving port to actuate said jaws and extracting member.

11. The nail extractor set forth in claim further characterized by said fluid receiving port for said cylinder of said extracting member comprising an opening through the Wall of said sleeve, said opening being substantially smaller in diameter than said inlet port for said sleeve, whereby a minor part of the fluid introduced into said sleeve bleeds into said cylinder to operate said extracting members but such operation occurring chiefly after the operation of said jaws by said piston in said sleeve substantially has been completed.

12. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool including a casing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member operable within said sleeve and positioned to receive driving impacts from said tool, a pair of nail engageable jaws operable by said impact member to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable relative to said jaws, a piston interconnected to said jaws and slidable within said sleeve, a fluid carrying conduit communicating with said sleeve and operable to direct fluid under pressure against sald piston to move said jaws into clamping engagement with said nail, an extracting member reciprocable relatively to said sleeve and jaws and engageable at one end with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, fluid actuated operating means comprising a piston and a cylinder concentric with said sleeve and impact tool and connected between said extracting member and impact tool, a compression spring surrounding said impact tool and engageable with one end of said cylinder and the inoperative face of said piston to restore said piston and cylinder to starting positions following a power stroke thereof, a valve operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said fluid conduit and cylinder to actuate said jaws and extracting mechanism.

13. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member operable within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a piston carried by said impact member and slidable within said sleeve, a pair of nail engageable jaws interengageable by said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means for said jaws, means to introduce fluid under pressure into said sleeve to move said piston and jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, a spring operable between said impact member and sleeve to restore said jaws to the initial positions thereof following each operation of the extractor, an extracting member reciprocable relative to said sleeve, fluid actuated operating means connected to said extracting member and operable to move the outer end of said member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material during such relative movement to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, and valve mechanism operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw moving means and withdrawing means to actuate the same.

14. A nail extractor operated by fluid pressure and comprising a fluid operated impact tool having a housing, a sleeve fixed to and projecting from one end of said housing, an impact member positioned within said sleeve and engageable by said impact tool to receive driving impacts therefrom, a pair of nail engageable jaws interengageable by said impact member and operable thereby to be driven into material containing a nail to be withdrawn by said extractor, cam means operable relative to said jaws, fluid actuated means comprising a piston reciprocable within said sleeve operable to move said jaws relative to said sleeve and cause said cam means to effect movement of the outer ends of said jaws into clamping engagement with a nail, an extracting member reciprocable relative to said sleeve, fluid actuated operating means comprising piston and cylinder means interconnected to said extracting member and impact tool housing and operable to move the outer end of said member relative to said jaws and into engagement with said material to effect withdrawing movement of said jaws and nail from said material, a handle connected to the outer end of said impact tool and operable manually to support and position the extractor, said handle having an inlet port connectable to a source of fluid under pressure and having ports communicating respectively with said impact tool and jaw operating and extracting mechanism, and a multiple port valve carried by said handle and connected between said inlet port and communicating ports and operable to control a supply of operating fluid under pressure selectively to said impact tool and said jaw operating and extracting mechanism to cause actuation thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

